According to research and data released by the WHO, a significant portion of Nigerians are currently experiencing mental illness, with estimates suggesting that one in four persons, or approximately 50 Million individuals are affected.
Despite this high prevalence, access to professional mental healthcare is limited, or sometimes not in existence with less than 10% of those affected having access to such care. This disparity is further compounded by cultural beliefs that often associate mental illness with supernatural causes, hindering treatment and support.
It’s actually very disturbing that majority of the affected Nigerians do not have any knowledge of what mental illness is, and in most cases don’t even realize they’re suffering from it.
Mental illness carries a significant economic burden, with a substantial impact on both individual earnings and society as a whole. The current economic woes in Nigeria as a result of bizarre leadership style of the APC led government which have plunged more Nigerians into multidimensional poverty is one of the major cause of this ugly menace.
READ ALSO :#Inspirational : She got second chance to life (pictures)
You may wonder why the security personnel you meet on the highways behave so irrational and overtly erratic. A lot is currently going wrong in Nigeria, yet, the leaders are so fixated on 2027 general elections. They are so preoccupied with defections and political drama that securing the lives and properties of Nigerians.
In 2019, a survey on mental health in Nigeria, by Africa Polling Institute (API) and EpiAFRIC shows how awareness of mental health is low in Nigeria, with most respondents been aware that they have mental health disorder, recognized it and commonly caused by drug abuse, possession by evil spirits and sickness of the brain and majority of the patients are taken to a prayer house for spiritual interventions.
In Nigeria, the causes of mental illness are multifaceted, encompassing biological, psychological, and socio-cultural factors. Biological factors can include genetic predisposition, prenatal damage, infections, and substance abuse. Psychological factors may involve traumatic experiences, such as childhood abuse or neglect, social isolation, and discrimination. Socio-cultural factors include poverty, economic hardship, social inequality, and cultural beliefs about mental illness, such as attributing it to supernatural causes like witchcraft or evil spirits.
Meanwhile, Harmless known for making sarcastic posts wrote on his x handle :
“The first son is in ICU at awaiting surgery.
Wife is battling cancer.
Second daughter is battling underage pregnancy.
Third son is police custody.
The last child has been sent out of school because unpaid fees.
Meanwhile, the father just announced to the family that he’s going on vacation.
P.S: This tweet has nothing to do with President Tinubu’s vacation to St. Lucia.”
– excerpts from, University of Iowa college of public health.